Go ahead and post up shots if you have them! Dee said she was starting to take pictures until the wheels started to lift, then she just stood there and did the "silent scream" thing so we have no photos of it in our camera.

All I got is the video but I was going to file save-as some of the pics on the linked site and post them...But, I'm sure they are copyright protected now that I think about it ...Guess you'd have to ask Joel's permission and have him send you the pics...

His gallery is pretty cool with the shot sequencing and if you forward through the pics quickly it is almost like watching a video - Your shot sequence tells a pretty good tale. And, if you don't like the line you took you can click backwards and try it again

Good Lord! Randy, that's some scary stuff! Picture 138 is scary. Glad you settled back down.

I'm not trying to be a stick in the mud, but that was not appropriate in my opinion.

longer wheelbase rigs have flipped end-over-end going DOWN that line. Even though double locked 80's and mini's can walk that going up, I think trying that in a tall short 40 should have been advised against. and then to drag him up on a strap? why?

Why? Perhaps because he didn't mind pushing it to the edge and he was set on making that line. I saw a lot of that on the difficult runs. And some flipped over. Which didn't really seem to ruin they're day. They can just keep wheelin. Amazing.

Why? Perhaps because he didn't mind pushing it to the edge and he was set on making that line. I saw a lot of that on the difficult runs. And some flipped over. Which didn't really seem to ruin they're day. They can just keep wheelin. Amazing.

She actually handled it fairly well, remember she put up with me being a cop for many years. I used to come home banged up on a fairly regular basis. Believe it or not, she was the one who wanted me to drive back up so she could get shots of me coming down the hill! She missed it the first time since she was on a nature break when I went down. Afterwards she did say "dont ever listen to me again"

Martin - I appreciate and understand your concern. Keep in mind that I have wheeled various rigs all over the world for 30+ years and this was not the first wheel stand I had to ride down or the hairiest predicament I had to get out of. Thats how I knew to let off the brakes when I felt it starting to go over. That said, always feel free to voice your opinion as I do value the experience of others and have been known on occassion to actually take that advice. Unfortunately, more often than not I usually dont listen and go ahead and do something I regret later

To be perfectly clear, it was my decision alone to attempt the climb. If it was a dumb thing to do it was my choice alone to do it.

For me, I can't understand the full capabilities of the vehicle unless I push it to the edge. Honestly, I didnt expect to make it all the way up the climb but I needed to know how far I could make it. I now have a much better idea of what I would be willing to attempt in my 40. I wont try anything even close to that challenging in the future just for fun. But, if for some reason I am faced with a serious situation where I have no choice but to go up an obstacle like that, I know I'll throw a strap and probably a winch line on it.

As far as the strap, Tim and the others insisted on that for my safety and their peace of mind when I wanted to attempt climbing the left line after the right line (wheel stand side) failed. Unfortunately I am one of those "get back on the horse immediately once you fall off of it" types. I also knew I probably wasnt going to make that climb either. In the end, I made it about halfway up and gave up in a good spot. The strap was never needed and the only drama was Tim working very hard to get me past one spot without scraping the rear quarter panel up.

I have put a lot of hard work into getting the old mule up and running, to make it a capable trail rig, and I try very hard to not abuse it or break it needlessly. On the other hand, it's not a restored collector vehicle I want to putt around in just for others to see. I built it to wheel with and I expect there to be some nicks and dings eventually. Thats why I painted it with rattle cans and carry one with me at all times for fast body work!

I regretted not doing the strap on the first climb. Thought about it, but then figured it would be ok... wow I feel fortunate to learn that lesson the easy way. The problem was the approach.. you were lined up perfect but all the little ledges on the way to the climb kept shifting you further down the hill, so by the time you were at the climb you were lined up to the steepest spot- had you done it more to your left I bet you could have made it. We'll try again next year, with the strap

And getting out of that pickle on the other side was tough- you were literally between a rock and a hard place! I appreciated your patience and willingness to stay cool while we wiggled you out of that.. was not a great situation but you did well by not making it worse, which it easily could have gotten. I was real relieved you were able to roll away from both attempts, on your tires.